Our Family Tree
Learn about the generous donors who have established charitable funds through Stark Community Foundation.
In partnership with The Repository, every Monday, Stark Community Foundation highlights positive happenings in our community. Here’s to Good News Mondays!
By Abigail Kinney, Communications Intern
Founded in 2019, the nonprofit serves eight counties through 31 partners, providing free diapers monthly to help ease the burden on low-income families. Its mission is simple but vital—to offer support to families in times of need by providing access to diapers, period supplies and other essentials.
“The most important thing about what we do is making sure babies stay healthy and secure so that families are less stressed,” said Shannon Hexamer, founder of Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank. “We want babies to feel loved.”
This belief drives the organization’s work at every level, from packaging each bundle with care to ensuring distribution sites are accessible. Despite having a small staff, the nonprofit runs efficiently thanks to a network of dedicated volunteers.
“In terms of details, we run it pretty much like you would a business,” Hexamer said. “Each partner takes about an hour and a half each month. Because of the number of partners we have, we have to stay organized to keep up with demand.”
Volunteers range from individuals and businesses to sports teams, church groups and families—including Hexamer’s own grandchildren, who help wrap and deliver diapers.
“My granddaughter is seven and just getting to the point where she can help with wrapping diaper bundles,” she said. “The little ones, like my four-year-old grandson, are our runners. They love carrying the bundles to the tables—they’re awesome.”
That kind of community involvement speaks to the nonprofit’s broader purpose. More than simply providing diapers, the organization aims to help families feel supported. Hexamer explained how the goal is to offer a hand-up rather than a handout. The diaper bank supplies newborn diapers, pull-ups, adult diapers, wipes, period supplies and incontinence products.
“We try to deliver as close to the recipients as possible,” Hexamer explained. “When someone calls and shares their story, the first thing I ask is where they’re located so I can connect them to the closest community partner.”
Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank currently serves families in Belmont, Carroll, Harrison, Medina, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties, with plans underway to expand even further.
As the organization reflects on distributing its two millionth diaper, the milestone is bittersweet.
“While you feel the impact, you also feel sad that the impact has to be,” she said. “We don’t want to celebrate that people need diapers—we want to recognize that we are able to fill that need.”
The need continues to grow, but so does the diaper bank’s reach. Fueled by faith and a strong sense of purpose, the team remains committed to serving families with care and dignity.
“Days when I’m overwhelmed, I focus on the fact that God has asked me to do this,” Hexamer said. “I’m very honored and blessed to be the one who fulfills this mission.”
For more information about the Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank or to find ways to support its mission, visit www.heartofohiodiaperbank.org.